The Press Release 

South African welders remain unemployed and under pressure to find work, despite a global demand for the skill and a firm commitment from the South African government to spend millions on public work projects specific to the power generation and petrochemical sectors, positions that require certified welding skills.

The post Bridging the Unemployment Gap: How SAIW is Securing the Future of Welding in South Africa appeared first on Firehorse Media.

The Press Release

Luke Dale Roberts Joins Chefs for Change

CULINARY trailblazer, Luke Dale Roberts has heeded the call to ‘protect the planet and its people’ by joining forces with Chefs for Change to support the upliftment of farmers, suppliers and traders involved in Kenya’s Farm Africa project focused on sustainable farming approaches to protect Lake Victoria’s strained resources.

Uniting the world’s best chefs and the world’s most remote rural communities, Chefs for Change transforms lives through the provision of sustainable sources of protein and provides fish farmers with access to high-value markets to increase their incomes.

Voted one of the world’s 50 best chefs and founding owner of The Test Kitchen and The Pot Luck Club, Luke Dale Roberts said: “I am honoured and excited to work with the Farm Africa organisation. I look forward to visiting Kenya and learning more about the fish farming in the region. Supporting local farmers and growers who are invested in their communities and engaging and promoting sustainable farming methods is something I am deeply passionate about”.

Produced on behalf of Manley Communications

Results & Impact 

• Positioned Luke Dale Roberts as a socially engaged culinary leader, not just a restaurant innovator.

• Strengthened visibility for Chefs for Change and Farm Africa by attaching them to a globally recognized chef.

• Secured coverage in lifestyle, sustainability, and food industry press.

This release shows the power of pairing a respected brand or personality with a meaningful cause. For businesses or leaders seeking to amplify their impact initiatives, messaging like this creates authenticity while also extending their influence beyond their immediate industry.

The post Luke Dale Roberts Joins Chefs for Change to Champion Sustainable Farming in Africa appeared first on Firehorse Media.

The Press Release

The Honest Truth: 1 in 3 South African Children Will Be Sexually Abused by Age 17

Sexual Abuse Prevention Tools for Children to be Revealed at African Child Trauma Conference by International Sociology Researcher

The rate of sexual violence in South Africa is among the highest in the world and young children are its most vulnerable target but according to Dr Ayelet Giladi, a Consulting Educational Sociologist and author of Sexual Harassment: No Children’s’ Game,we can empower children as young as 5 years to learn to protect themselves.

The phenomena of sexual harassment reached global awareness amidst high profile news stories from Hollywood celebrity circles which sparked the global #Metoo campaign. It also brought awareness to the #Childrentoo campaign and reinforced the work of African child rights protectors, educationists and parents who deal with the trauma of victims who are defined by a faceless statistic: 1 in 3 South African children will be sexually abused by age 17.

Sharing her international research at the upcoming African Child Trauma Conference in Cape Town 18 – 21 August 2019, Dr Ayelet Giladi says 1 in 5 children are experiencing sexual harassment from other children from as young as age four and as much as 20% of children’s’ games between the ages of 5 to 8 are seen to include elements of sexual harassment.

“Adults in general and children in particular still have difficulty identifying violence and sexual harassment. We see this behaviour in children associated with social and cultural gender and as a result of the need to demonstrate power and gain social capital within their age group as a foundation of human behavior.

“It is necessary to provide children with parameters for flexible gender behavior early on, in order to relieve them of the violent social stigma that would otherwise dictate their lifelong behavior. My work is of particular importance in the African context as many educational institutions may be the setting for sexual abuse and sodomy, the harsh psychological effects of which will have long-term effects on all those involved.”

Dr Giladi’s research offers training programmes, workshops to professionals, teachers and parents with age-appropriate interventions from age 4 up until age 17 where participants gain the ability to identify patterns of sexual harassment at preschool age, prevent and manage sexual harassment and abuse and protect children from future vulnerability.

Her research draws a clear line in identifying the difference between bullying and sexual harassment and provides early interventions and children with the appropriate support needed during their formative years with programs that are inclusive of the entire community.

“It is important to start with the tools to prevent sexual harassment at an early age,” says Dr Giladi. “Having a good curriculum is not enough and educators need practical interventions from an early age until 16 years using varies techniques across a common value language that is easy to learn and easy to use.”

Dr Giladi, who presents globally to governments, educators and parental audiences, will be showcasing her research and innovations in preventing and managing child harassment and abuse when she joins conference partners and sponsors of the African Child Trauma conference, which include Ispcan, Unicef, Children’s Institute, Centre for Child Law, Teddy Bear Foundation, Childline,Matla a Bana and the Dullah Omar Institute.

She will be offering delegates an opportunity to share in her skills-building workshop and her programme of interventions represented internationally through her Voice of the Child Association(VOCA) with the aim of finding African routes towards ending violence for all children with a commitment to changing the landscape of child protection in Africa.

“I’ve been researching sexual harassment prevention in children for 19 years and the world is now ready to hear it,” says Giladi. “It is my aim to bring the tools for sexual harassment prevention to as many children, teachers, parents and supporting corporate bodies as possible so we can ensure that our children of today will not have a need for a #Metoo campaign in the future.

About Dr Ayelet Giladi holds a doctorate in sociology education from ARU University, England and Bachelor and Master degrees from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is the author of the book, ‘Sexual Harassment: No Children’s’ Play – Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Educational System and the Community’.

The African Child Trauma Conference takes place 18 -21 August 2019 and is organised by Jelly Beanz and their partners Ispcan, Unicef, Children’s Institute, Centre for Child Law, Teddy Bear Foundation, Childline, Matla a Bana and the Dullah Omar Institute. The conference aims to gather delegates from across Africa committed to changing the landscape of child protection in Africa and finding African routes towards ending violence for all children. Jelly Beanz is run by Edith Kriel and Marita Rademeyer its two founding members who are considered leaders in the field in helping children who have experienced abuse and neglect. The conference will be opened by Chairperson Dr Maria Mabetoa South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP). The keynote speaker is Yusuf Abramjee, a Consultant for Interpol #TurnBackCrime Ambassador, Play your Part Ambassador and Social Cohesion Advocate.

Delegates may register athttps://www.childtraumaconferenceafrica.org/

Results & Impact 

• Drew media and stakeholder attention to the African Child Trauma Conference as a must-attend event for child protection professionals.
  SMILE FM Radio Interview: Listen here https://smile904.fm/the-honest-truth-1-in-3-south-african-children-will-be-sexually-abused-by-age-17/

• Elevated Dr. Ayelet Giladi as an international authority with practical, age-appropriate interventions.

• Strengthened visibility for the coalition of African child rights organizations driving systemic change.

This release illustrates how messaging can serve as both advocacy and education. For organizations working on human rights, children’s rights, or trauma prevention, communications that balance urgency with solutions are critical to building trust and engagement with funders, policymakers, and the public.

• Child Protection South Africa

• African Child Trauma Conference

• Sexual Abuse Prevention

• Dr. Ayelet Giladi

• Voice of the Child Association

• #Childrentoo

• UNICEF and Partners

The post The Honest Truth: 1 in 3 South African Children Will Face Sexual Abuse by Age 17 appeared first on Firehorse Media.

The Press Release : Knight Frank Property Investment

A Tax-deductible Property Portfolio is One of the Best Investments to Consider

Your assets for the future determine your current net worth today, and with a healthy property portfolio and the current SARS tax incentives in place, you as the property owner can maximise the growth of your investments.

In order to enjoy tax-free ownership incentives, property investment portfolios in South Africa may be residential, such as single-family homes, multi-family properties or commercial properties. The distinction lies in the fact they are ‘buy to let’ residential or commercial properties as opposed to falling under the income tax of primary residences.

Defined within an investment portfolio, your properties are considered ‘income properties’ that are bought and developed with the sole intention of earning revenue from them.

A successful property portfolio comprises of five or more ‘buy to let’ properties that are rented or held while the property appreciates. All expenses on your property portfolio are deductible from the rental income, before tax is calculated. The gains that you see to growing your net worth lies in the interest, capital gains and dividends you earn from them being completely tax-free.

Rental properties, such as holiday homes, guesthouses and bed and breakfast establishments bought with the intention of generating rental income can not only cover your property’s bond but will also allow you to claim for certain expenses you may further acquire on the property. This might include levies charged by body corporates, repairs and maintenance, insurance premiums and municipal service costs charged to the owner.

Keep in mind that you can invest R33 000 per tax year up to a lifetime maximum of R500 000. If you contribute more than these maximums, you will incur penalties.

Your property portfolio investment is also beneficial in estate planning. Your dependents can be financially secured through estate planning which pays your beneficiaries immediately, does not incur executor fees and ensures your beneficiaries receive the maximum benefit from your estate.

As with any investment, Knight Frank advises you consult with a certified tax advisor to ensure you receive the best legal and investment guidance for your distinctive property portfolio.

ENDS/

Results & Impact 

• Strengthened Knight Frank’s positioning as a trusted thought leader in wealth management through property.

• Reinforced the link between property investment, tax efficiency, and estate planning.

• Provided accessible, actionable guidance that positioned the firm as approachable for clients seeking clarity in complex areas.

This release illustrates the value of creating content that educates while positioning a brand as a premium advisor. If your company operates in finance, property, or wealth management, well-crafted releases like this not only secure coverage but also build trust and long-term client relationships.

The post Why Tax-Deductible Property Portfolios Are a Smart Investment Strategy appeared first on Firehorse Media.

The Press Release

The House of Hemp Strikes Green Gold for South Africa for the Second Time in History

Front-runners in the quest for using South Africa’s indigenous knowledge rights to commercialize medical marijuana and by products produced from hemp for the benefit and upliftment of our local economy, House of Hemp has been honored as the first private company to receive a license to commence commercial production.

Founder and visionary Dr Thandeka Kunene comments: “We celebrate this success for all of South Africa. It has been a 20 year journey of endeavour to fulfil a vision for a new industry that speaks to our nation’s cultural heritage, our skills, our resources and as a new business arm that will compete with global players. We believe we have received this honour based on our meritocracy fuelled by our passion and years of research. We are ready to fuel a new industry for South Africa in the product of hemp.”

History repeats itself

Since its grass roots endeavors in 1999, when House of Hemp first set down its mandate to be a part of a new South Africa focused on reducing poverty and creating jobs, its 28 black directors lobbied for their vision of a future hemp industry and won the first permit granted by the South African government at that time for cultivating hemp for commercial research purposes.

Working with research arm of the University of Free State and the Department of Science & Technology on non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) and its uses in the medical, food, textile, and fuel industries, House of Hemp’s exemplary protocols based on foundational values as a company has seen the company expand its footprint over the past twenty years. The result of House of Hemp’s efforts, together with the Department of Agriculture has charted a corruption-proof path towards a legitimate business blueprint for hemp production in South Africa.

Hi-tech operations underway

Following the recent granting of the first license for commercial production of Medical Cannabis within the new proposed Medical Controls Council (MCC) guidelines, operations have already ramped up at Dube Trade port’s AgriZone complex – one of the most high-tech agricultural facilities in Africa.

Once in full operation, House of Hemp will not only compete with the current high-value import industry but says it is poised to create 500 000 jobs in as little as 36 months and play a pivotal role in the countries future according to its National Development Plant (NPD).

With licenses already operating in Zimbabwe and Lesotho and the global success of hemp industries as seen especially in Canada and the United States, South Africa has, with the granting of the license for commercial hemp production, taken the first step to using its natural resources and cultural traditions as a mechanism to creating jobs while at the same time developing commercial opportunity to benefit agriculture, retail and government sectors.

Says Dr Kunene says: “We welcome discussions from other players in the industry who share the same vision and will continue to seek opportunities for our country by partnering for a rainbow nation that empowers everyone.”

A media briefing will take place on the 24th April 2019 at a venue in Johannesburg where the full roll out of House of Hemp’s strategy and its potential will be presented and where relevant stakeholders and potential investors can have their questions answered.
All enquiries can be directed to E: info@ihouseohemp.co.za

Results & Impact 

• Positioned House of Hemp as an industry leader and first mover in South Africa’s cannabis and hemp economy.

• Elevated the role of founder Dr. Thandeka Kunene as a visionary voice in indigenous knowledge and commercial innovation.

• Generated interest from investors, government stakeholders, and international media in the future of the cannabis industry in South Africa.

Visuals (Optional Enhancements)

• Image of Dr. Thandeka Kunene.

• Photo of Dube TradePort AgriZone facilities.

• Infographic showing projected job creation and economic impact.

Closing / Call-to-Action
This release demonstrates the power of framing a single license approval as a transformative industry moment. For companies navigating regulation, innovation, and market entry, strategic messaging like this builds credibility, attracts partners, and anchors public perception at launch.

The post House of Hemp Secures South Africa’s First Commercial Cannabis Production License appeared first on Firehorse Media.

The Press Release

Hayward’s Secret Safaris Cater to the International Elite seeking Travel Exclusivity

Where do royalty, millionaires and corporation heads like to travel? To unique, untouched locations where no one has stepped foot before and where no one may disturb their peace, unless of course, it’s the nocturnal roar of a big cat on the prowl or sweet bird song chorusing to a pink-hued African dawn.

Celebrated as Africa’s 5-star safari specialists, Peter & Celia Hayward and their skilful service team have been conjuring up big group safari adventures and private mobile expeditions for over 25 years. Hosting high-end safari clientele and their staff entourage in Africa’s most beautiful natural wonders of sea, land and sky, many of their bespoke safari destinations lie within exclusive World Heritage Sites where access is restricted.

“You can find budget flights and hotel stays for the ordinary traveller just about anywhere on the globe these days,” says Peter Hayward, “but you can’t book a safari expedition in the era of Livingstone into untouched Africa. The Grand Safari is the art of bringing luxury living into bespoke experiences within pristine natural landscapes to co-exist in complete ecological balance. When our mobile 5-star safari expedition departs, not a blade of grade is left bent to show our group of private safari explorers were ever there.

“And we are clear that the emphasis is on privacy and personal luxury, from non-disclosure agreements to personal requests. If you want to smoke cigars from Cuba with a case of the finest wine or whisky at your side while stargazing in the Waterberg Wilderness, we are happy to oblige. If you want to set up a casino event as a private networking opportunity with a group of global business elite in the middle of the Kruger National Park’s Big 5 territory, we will make it happen. If you want to be entertained by your favourite international rock band in the Namib Desert for your 60th birthday with friends and family, we are your go-to team.”

Off the Radar

Choosing your own unique luxury destination starts by looking at the map. Then you are provided with choices for getting there and what you want to experience. Think luxury train travel, charter flights, overland vehicles, hot air balloons, luxury yachts and camel taxis.

Arrival at camp is a warm welcome which reveals only the finest in Livingstone-style safari comfort in 30 en suite Presidential Suites, manned by your personal butler. The dining tent caters to seven-course silver service meals, including mid-morning and afternoon high teas and sundowner cocktails served at various natural locations outside of camp.

When not engaged in safari excursions, Big 5 walking safaris, Big 6 diving excursions, or other business or adventure activities, a massage and spa service assist you to prepare for the evening’s black-tie events. Canapes, cocktails, oysters and champagne, wine and whiskey tastings set the tone until dinner is served and the evening’s entertainment commences.

“Culture, history, art, science, nature, adventure and food are pivotal players in each bespoke location,” says Peter, “and we incorporate choices for learning and entertainment within all of these, so our clients may experience the essence of action adventure along with immersing themselves in the local culture and current influencers that match with today’s authentically luxurious lifestyles.”

Customizable Corporate Incentives

It is not only celebrities who look for customized experiences that thrill and delight. Hayward’s Grand Safari Company is ahead of its game when it comes to one-of-a-kind travel incentives that are worthy of rewarding top corporate sales staff on international travel incentive programs that guarantee no individual participant could replicate the same for themselves or their families.

Achieving a once in a lifetime incentive trip for personally pushing the boundaries and achieving as a company incentive winner sets you apart from the rest, as you are whisked away to an unknown grand safari tented camp in the heart of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal. Its awe-inspiring to say the least, according to the Hayward Safaris’ latest group guests from Sanlam Connect International Convention who found themselves with breath-taking views over Lake St Lucia, backed by untouched coastal forest and dunes teeming with fauna and flora.

“One of my favourite pastimes is hunting down incredible camp site locations so we can offer guests the privilege of wilderness regions never safaried before and better still, where there are no other hotel options available, making it a truly rare and privileged occasion for all participants,” says Peter Hayward.

Whether you choose to be ensconced in a crater or the birthplace of mankind, amidst the San people, an island beach or a valley of a thousand purple tinged mountains, Hayward’s classic safari camps will take you there, just the way you want it.

Hayward’s Grand Safari Company provides tailored experiences in custom designed safari camps into unexplored Africa, compiled by experts with the utmost taste and insider knowledge for total travel exclusivity for VIP private groups and well-heeled globetrotters. Visit www.haywardsafaris.com

Results & Impact 

• Positioned Hayward Safaris as Africa’s premier provider of ultra-exclusive mobile safari experiences.

• Secured coverage in luxury lifestyle, travel, and incentive industry outlets.

• Elevated brand appeal to both ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) and corporate incentive buyers.

This release illustrates how luxury branding goes beyond simple description to evoke an experience that only a select few can access. If your business is seeking to elevate its messaging to attract a discerning, global clientele, I can help you shape communications that not only describe, but truly transport your audience.

The post Hayward Safaris: Crafting Ultra-Exclusive African Expeditions for the Global Elite appeared first on Firehorse Media.

The Entrepreneur Feature
Entrepreneur Feature/ Thokozile Mangwiro of Nilotiqa/ Sunpac / February 2022

Counting Confidence One Head at a Time for Nilotiqa Black Haircare Founder

She is shy, petite, and laser focused. And rare. It is not the money that inspires South African Thokozile Mangwiro, founder of Nilotiqa Haircare for black women but rather the discovery of her own formulation of organic hair treatment that speaks to every black woman who has stood in the face of adversarial marketing that wants to straighten, smooth, dye and reshape a black women’s hair, as if her natural crowning beauty is something to be avoided and changed.

With Krugersdorp roots and a family drive for an education, ‘Thoko’ duly completed university and followed a career in programming and business intelligence. But, frustrated by the hair care products on the retail shelves being marketed to black women, Thoko felt compelled to seek out her own organic solutions for maintaining her naturally managed, long Afro hair. Thoko set about researching and formulating Nilotiqa in 2014; and launched her brand in 2016 as a natural and organic hair care product solution to dry, brittle hair.

“Like most African women, our hair is characterised by kinky curls and grows closer to the scalp which makes it a challenge for our hair’s natural oils to travel down the hair strands to its tips. Nilotiqa is an organic and homegrown solution to maintaining your hair’s natural moisture,” she explains.

“Whether you wear a weave or braids, Nilotiqa keeps what is beneath – your natural hair – in its healthiest state,” she says. “When African hair is not adequately retaining moisture, it can lead to several conditions, such as dandruff, thinning of the hair, a receding hairline, or even worse hair falling out. These conditions can then have a significant impact on the health and aesthetic of the African coil.”

Entrepreneur Access into the Marketplace

Celebrating her grass roots success at delivering a solution to her new fans and followers who were overusing harsh, chemical treatments, Thoko was optimistic about being able to share her product with all African women on the local retail shelves. “I had no understanding of the ‘retail of retail’,” she laughs. “I pounded the pavements, made weekly calls to the major retail outlets where I knew I needed to be if I wanted to reach and speak to my local audience but none of the retailers were ready for my products.”

With no option for failure, having left her corporate career in 2017 to follow her dream of success with a solution specifically suited for curly, African hair, Thoko says she quickly learnt what it was to have an abnormal amount of persistence. “I learnt how to speak up. I found out how to make myself more visible. I didn’t have an option to give up. I would cry on the bathroom floor and grind through months and months without an income. I could not imagine Nilotiqa not fulfilling its highest potential. It was a solution for African women that deserved to win.”

It took two years of knocking on retail doors to for Nilotiqa to debut products onto Clicks retail shelves nationwide; then a further year of pain and purpose from Thoko, and public outcry from South Africans at racially biased marketing content from a globally distributed hair care brand, for Nilotiqa  to debut on the shelves of  Dischem and Pick n Pay nationally.

“Running my own business, managing the marketing, finance, production and distribution while also managing my family and two young sons, was a learning curve. I never doubted Nilotiqa was a good product, that kept me going, but as an entrepreneur who was unfamiliar with the challenges of the national retail sector, I knew I needed help.”

Acquisition for Growth

Enter Sunpac and a conversation with CEO Shaun Laffer which led to the Sunpac acquisition in early 2022.

Says Thoko, “I had another investment opportunity on the table at the time, but for me, Sunpac was the type of partner, backed by a team, which understands the business I am in. As a leading distributor of top international hair care brands, Sunpac aligns with the Nilotiqa ethos which places a value on black female consumers needs and their financial restraints.

“The Sunpac agreement now allows for key investments for growth, while I can continue to maintain and manage the core of the Nilotiqa business and develop the range to include other personal care categories too. There is a lot to be done. All the processes for retail distribution are changing and we are upgrading our branding and labelling, but the process of formulation will not change.”

Speaking into the potential of her newfound future, Thoko says, “I want to see Nilotiqa become a household brand; to define the luxury of what it is to be an African woman. There are competitors in this field, however my products are unique, I know what I have to offer – it is all about the customer and what they are looking for in a brand that is healthy for their hair. With Nilotiqa, each and every consumer is the influencer for this incredible brand, in each and every way.”

Fabulous Forties for Future Fortune

Recently celebrating her 41^st birthday, we asked Thoko to define her own secret dreams and ingredients for confidence and style.

“The secret ingredient I would wish for myself would be the inspiration and ability to express my inner world more. I am a dreamer at heart but until now, I have had to be a survivor. I dream of creating products that are easily accessible to woman who, like me, are busy, hard working women that love quality and believe that they too deserve to feel beautiful. I want to create products that allow women to express their true selves, even when the world around them makes them feel unseen or small. As an African woman, I think we have so much to offer to the world and we desperately need to express ourselves more.”

For now, weekends are spent with her close-knit family bonding over games of tennis or swimming with her boys, or taking early morning prayer runs through her neighborhoods. “Having natural hair that is healthy is easy hair. When you start using Nilotiqa you will discover that your hair starts growing again. This year will be defining for the Nilotiqa brand and it will be defining for black women everywhere.”

About:
The Nilotiqa Hair Care Range is 100% home-grown, organically sourced, and locally formulated to deliver a plant-based moisturising hair care range perfectly suited to natural African hair care. Inspired and birthed from exquisite shea butter, it is formulated with oils from the nuts of the vitellaria nilotica tree, a beautiful tree, indigenous to the upper Nile region of Central Africa. Only the finest and most luxurious ingredients have been selected from South Africa and Africa to be delivered in an organic and naturally formulated product.

The Shea & Coco Collection is specifically formulated for dry and brittle hair and is designed with the combinative power of Shea butter and coconut oil to deeply nourish, care for and replenish moisture back into your hair. Start your healthy hair journey today www.nilotiqa.com.

Results & Impact 

• Positioned Nilotiqa as a trusted, authentic voice in the natural haircare market.

• Strengthened brand authority by aligning Thokozile’s personal journey with her company’s growth.

• Secured visibility for the Sunpac acquisition while reinforcing Nilotiqa’s unique market position.
  https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/style-beauty/hair/2022-02-22-home-grown-nilotiqa-hair-brand-gets-a-boost-from-sunpac/

  Counting Confidence One Head at a Time for Nilotiqa Black Haircare Founder

  
  
  https://www.dsbd.gov.za/stories/garage-retail

This feature demonstrates how storytelling humanizes a brand and elevates an entrepreneur’s voice as part of her company’s growth narrative. If your business has a founder story, a new partnership, or an acquisition moment, I can help craft the narrative so it resonates with media, customers, and investors alike.

The post Counting Confidence One Head at a Time: The Nilotiqa Story appeared first on Firehorse Media.

The Press Release

Humanitarian Hope Through Healthcare Pioneers Regenerative Medicine for Poacher-Wounded Rhinos

Humanity in support of sustainable solutions to aid, rescue and protect endangered rhino populations vulnerable to the rising numbers of poachers is highlighted by a recent ground-breaking collaboration between The Rhino Pride Foundation and Novita Biotech with the delivery of regenerative medicine and biotechnology healthcare for surviving rhinos and their young, which have withstood vicious armed poacher attacks.

Recognised as one of Africa’s Big Five, rhino are gentle horned herbivores which are today, highly endangered, and ruthlessly hunted by organised crime cartels to meet the voracious demand from Asian countries for the trade in illegal rhino horn. As in all warfare, if the rhino being hunted is not killed outright, it is left critically injured and in agony.

Specialist Wildlife Veterinarian Dr Jana Pretorius, founder of the Rhino Pride Foundation operates a secure and protected rhino sanctuary in South Africa where injured rhinos are treated and can roam wild following recovery. Together with Baby Rhino Rescue, involved with the foundation’s anti-poaching unit from the onset, orphaned rhino calves are fed and cared for too.

Now, in a co-operative healthcare outreach, Novita Biotech has become the first documented healthcare organisation in the world to supply injured rhino with a pioneering regenerative medicine administered through the injection of systemic Hyaluronic Acid and Proglycan treatment in injured rhinos for pain management and long-term quality of life.

Medical Hope for Critically Injured Rhino

Despite his diminutive name, Junior is a male bull rhino which weighs in at over 1200 kilograms, and a survivor of a recent poaching attempt. The bullet from a poacher’s high-velocity gun which entered through the left side of his chest had started migrating, causing Junior pain and discomfort. Due to his injuries, Junior was moved to the Rhino Pride Sanctuary approximately two weeks after the attack where the Proglycan treatment was administered without incident, with Junior’s positive recovery being monitored daily.

“Regenerative medicine aims to recover the normal function of diseased or damaged cells, tissues and organs, and speed healing and bone strength,” explains Dr Jana Pretorius. “As a non-profit organisation we are uplifted by the many people who work tirelessly in the background to help support and save our rhinos. It gives us incredible hope and it is a glimmer of hope for the future of our rhino in Africa. We are incredibly thankful for this long-term partnership with humanitarian Alexandra Mszewski of Novita Biotech which sets the foundations for the future treatment of injured rhino and increases the numbers of rhino saved from death.”

Novita Biotech is a Cape Town-based biotechnology company that supplies affordable cutting-edge human medical, aesthetic medicine and veterinary medical device products to industry professionals. Headed up by sole owner and shareholder Alexandra Mszewski, the company has developed the first commercially available systemic regenerative equine treatment derived fully from a unique system of processing autologous blood.

“From day one Novita Biotech has been founded on the principle of creating hope through healthcare; this has always been our purpose and mission,” says Mszewski. “The affordability and accessibility of health care products, especially to those who need them the most, is behind what we do and the poaching of rhino horn which leads to rhino deaths and injury is unfortunately a very real South African problem. As an animal lover I want to make sure that our rhino benefit from health products that the Rhino Pride Foundation would not necessarily  have access to.

“The Novitas Biotech business model of hope means we are able to give back thirty percent of our profits to those who need it. We want to support this very real African problem where the recipients really need it and our rhino can benefit from our healthcare with restored and extended life.”

Largest Private Rhino Sanctuary in the World

Due to the tremendous increase in rhino poaching and the high cost of feeding rhinos, many private rhino owners have had to give up their rhinos. This is where the Rhino Pride Foundation steps in, providing a haven for these rhinos, thus becoming the largest sanctuary of privately owned rhinos in the world.

The sanctuary provides a secure yet natural free-roaming habitat for endangered rhinos and utilises tracking technology to monitor poachers and prevent access to the reserve. Working collaboratively with Baby Rhino Rescue, they fund the purchase of milk, teff, and three anti-poaching dogs.

Currently, the Rhino Pride Foundation is completing infrastructure to the Sanctuary to nurture and protect more than 40 injured rhinos daily, with continued needs for orphan milk, fencing, the installing of thermal cameras, 24/7 security patrols, security gate and control room headquarters for the ongoing protection of rhino, medical support and the management of a sustainable rhino sanctuary where protected rhino which can live, breed and roam wild.

Adopt a Rhino

Enabling meaningful long-term partnerships both locally and globally, you can become part of the systematic plan to save the rhino through symbolic adoption.  All donations for the Sanctuary go to Baby Rhino Rescue to be disbursed by the Board of Directors. Symbolic support for a specific rhino means the donor will receive updates about projects and rhinos.

Inspired and passionate about the future of healthy rhino populations, Dr Jana Pretorius says, “We are focused on building trust through the successful delivery of honest and transparent initiatives, such as this medical-first partnership with Novita Biotech, so we can continue to education our future generations to be our wildlife conservationists and champions so that we might treat all living creatures with integrity and respect.”

ENDS/

Results & Impact:

• The release was picked up across conservation, health innovation, and humanitarian news channels including: Getaway, IOL and Weekend Argus:
  https://iol.co.za/weekend-argus/news/2021-12-16-regenerative-medicine-and-superior-pain-treatment-brings-hope-for-our-endangered-rhino/
  https://www.getaway.co.za/travel-news/new-medicine-pioneered-for-rhinos-that-survived-poaching-attempts/

• It positioned Novita Biotech as a leader in regenerative healthcare and showcased the Rhino Pride Foundation as a credible conservation authority.

• It helped drive awareness for symbolic rhino adoptions and fundraising for the sanctuary’s infrastructure.

This release illustrates how humanitarian storytelling and science-backed innovation can combine to inspire action. If your organisation is seeking to communicate purpose-driven initiatives — whether in conservation, healthcare, or corporate sustainability — I help craft press releases that secure coverage and galvanize support.

The post Pioneering Healthcare for Poacher-Wounded Rhinos: Regenerative Medicine Brings Hope appeared first on Firehorse Media.

The Press Release 

Nielsen: How Consumers Reset Their Consumption Choices under Covid-19

Johannesburg, 22 September 2020 – South African consumers have faced a series of life-altering events since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown in March ,which has had a profound impact on what, where, and why they shop. These insights stem from a new Nielsen report The Covid-19 Behavioural Reset, which dissects how shoppers are redesigning their product choices and predicts that many pandemic consumption patterns are set to become entrenched essential routines.

Nielsen Retail Intelligence  Kelly Arnold explains, “Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many consumers now find themselves in a radically adjusted financial position, with 41% of South Africans saying they have been personally impacted by job losses under COVID-19 lockdowns. These massive and sudden shifts in unemployment rates are among the many factors driving the declining spending power of numerous South Africans.

“As a result, things that may have been bought in a panic during February or March fall under greater scrutiny today. This has seen consumers prioritise in-home spending over discretionary out-of-home expenses and become more risk averse, driving them to seek products and services that deliver value, quality, and peace of mind.”

The Nielsen Covid-19 Behavioural Reset Report identifies four behavioral changes which make sense of today’s fundamentally altered shopping landscape as they apply to two distinct types of South African consumers; namely Constrained Consumers who are stretched financially due to factors such as job losses and compressed income; and Insulated Spenders who are the more financially sound of the two groups having managed to retain their job and therefore sustained their income.

A reevaluated shopping basket

 Delving into the details of each behavioral shift, the Basket Reset relates to the product choices South African consumers will make when fundamental consumption is taking place. The report states that as more and more consumers become unable to maintain their peak COVID-19 spending levels, the consideration set for what is “essential” will shrink. Even insulated spenders are likely to scrutinise the contents of their above-norm purchase habits formed at the onset of the pandemic.

Expanding on this, Arnold comments, “As emerging essentials, such as face masks which were not historically a part of budgets become mainstays and new preferences emerge among retail channels, consumers, especially constrained consumers, will seek justification for every purchase moving forward.”

Consumers, whether employed or not, however are less optimistic about what the future holds. This cautiousness will impact where and how households continue to pad their pantries and shelves amid COVID-19 protocols. Decisions will need to be made to reconcile purchase habits which consumers have had in place for years alongside today’s new reality where health and value priorities now compete side by side.

Home is where the wallet is

 The second Homebody Reset reveals where consumption will occur. South African consumers have formed a new DIY mentality with respect to consumer goods during the months they spent at home during the lockdown. However, even though many lockdown restrictions have lifted some aspects of consumers’ ‘self-care and self-service’ attitude, some have remained.

Arnold explains; “What’s clear is that the homebound economy is here to stay. Within that, the constrained consumer will seek out self-fulfilment of needs, limit their exposure to prices and look for cost savings, whereas for insulated spenders this means creative exploration and trial of new products.”

Overall consumers continue to prioritise in home spend, with spend on food and beverages being maintained or even increased compared to the end of 2019. This is borne out by 79% of South African shoppers who say they bought treats or indulgent categories; with the top 3 product types being juice, carbonated soft drinks and chocolates. This is important to note, particularly during current times where household expenditures are being minimized in many other ways.

Downsized luxuries

 The third Rational reset looks at how consumers will justify their purchases. This reset focuses on the fundamental shift in how products are used, what needs they fulfill and the new or altered occasion they have become part of.

“Consumers still want to find enjoyment in life, and we anticipate that they will re-imagine the role that certain goods and services play in their routines. As a result, there will be room to grow the purchases of “small luxuries” particularly as bigger rewards and entertainment budgets are slashed within homes.

“For constrained consumers, it could be something as simple as a box of biscuits that now represents a significantly greater portion of a tightened budget and may well signify more of a reward than it ever would have before. For insulated consumers, there is more discretionary spending that could be directed to FMCG. For example, in lieu of a dining experience that is forgone due to COVID-19 concerns, the purchase of premium cuts of meat to be cooked at home, will equate to a safer, customizable, modern-day luxury.”

A new era for promotions

 Analyses into the fourth Affordability reset reveals that consumers with less disposable income in their pockets, will search for ways to optimize their basket spend. Nielsen has observed a historically low level of trade promotion activity across various countries. Channel preferences are also shifting in tandem with the criteria for affordability which continues to evolve in the minds of today’s consumers.

A recent Nielsen study found that South Africans have had to adjust their promotion obsessed purchasing habits during the COVID-19 lockdown, with R14-Billion fewer goods being sold on promotion during April and May 2020 compared to the same time last year. This has led to a perception of price increases largely due to a reduction in promotions with an average of 64% of offline and online shoppers saying that prices are going up and 33% saying less promotions are available.

Arnold comments: “We see early indication that the promotional baseline has been reset, prompting a huge opportunity to transform consumer behavior around affordability. The recent lack of ‘normal’ promotional activity leads to an important and perhaps historic moment where companies can reset their approach to affordability in ways that offer greater efficiency than before.”

Issued on behalf of Nielsen Africa (@NielsenAfrica):

ABOUT NIELSEN

Nielsen Holdings plc (NYSE: NLSN) is a global measurement and data analytics company that provides the most complete and trusted view available of consumers and markets worldwide. Nielsen is divided into two business units. Nielsen Global Media provides media and advertising industries with unbiased and reliable metrics that create a shared understanding of the industry required for markets to function. Nielsen Global Connect provides consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers with accurate, actionable information and insights and a complete picture of the complex and changing marketplace that companies need to innovate and grow. Our approach marries proprietary Nielsen data with other data sources to help clients around the world understand what’s happening now, what’s happening next, and how to best act on this knowledge. An S&P 500 company, Nielsen has operations in over 100 countries, covering more than 90% of the world’s population. For more information, visit www.nielsen.com.

Results & Impact 

• The release was widely circulated across retail, marketing, and business media channels, helping Nielsen establish authority on post-Covid consumption.

• It positioned the Covid-19 Behavioural Reset Report as a must-read for FMCG companies and retailers navigating consumer uncertainty.

• The behavioral reset framework — basket reset, homebody reset, rational reset, and affordability reset — became a useful lens for interpreting shifting market dynamics.

Releases like this demonstrate the power of turning data into narratives that inform and influence. If your organization is working with insights or research that deserves wider visibility, I can help shape it into messaging that resonates with both the media and your audience.

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